Two foreign diplomats arrested by Iranian police at “depraved” birthday party

Published September 12th, 2002 - 02:00 GMT

Police in Iran have arrested 25 people, including two foreign diplomats, during a raid on a “depraved” birthday party in wealthy north Tehran, Entekha

Police in Iran have arrested 25 people, including two foreign diplomats, during a raid on a “depraved” birthday party in wealthy north Tehran, Entekhab newspaper reported Wednesday.

It said 23 Iranian young women and young men were detained pending charges, while the diplomats were released. The foreigners were not identified. Iranian officials regularly crack down on so-called depraved parties, where Iran's strict Islamic laws are flouted with alcohol, drugs and mixed-sex dancing.

Unmarried couples arrested can face punishments varying from fines to a few days in jail and even flogging. Moreover, Iranian police have launched a new campaign against "depravity" amongst the nation's youth by stopping and checking the identification cards of young men and women in public or in their cars. (Albawaba.com)